The Works Ministry has received suggestions from highway concessionaires to find solutions to ease the burden of tolls for consumers.

Its minister Shaziman Abu Mansor said the suggestions included removing or reducing toll charges at some highways and not increasing the rate at other highways for a certain period of time.

"Some tolls will be done away with while others will not have hikes for a specific period if the proposals are accepted.

"However, let us study the suggestions first. But, as I have said, the concession companies need to find ways to help the people and government without incurring loss themselves as they need to be responsible to their shareholders too," he told reporters in Tampin today.

Shaziman, who opened the Syed Sirajuddin Camp Family Day with residents of Tampin in conjunction with the Army's 79th anniversary in Gemas, however, declined to mention the number of suggestions and the names of concessionaires which had made suggestions.

Gov’t may provide more compensation

Shaziman said all the suggestions had been submitted to the Malaysian Highway Authority for evaluation and would be discussed at the National Economic Action Council soon before the cabinet was informed.

"The government may consider giving a reasonable amount in compensation to highway concessionaires to avoid toll hikes," he said.

"Some of the concessionaires submitted good suggestions, and all should be considered, seeing Prime Minister Najib Razak has directed the cabinet to find ways to ease the burden of the people," he said.

The government had abolished or reduced toll rates at several highways since 2009.

- Bernama